Economic pressure is effective when it imposes greater costs on an adversary than on the country applying it. President Donald Trump is right to put American interests first and prevent the Chinese Communist Party from turning U.S. resources to its own advantage.
The CCP is a strategic rival, not a partner. It is seeking to erode American influence, compete with the U.S. military and expand its role around the world. China is investing heavily in technologies that could shape future conflicts, from advanced weapons and targeting systems to cyber capabilities. The United States should not help Beijing acquire those advantages more quickly.
For years, American investment and expertise have flowed into Chinese firms working on technologies with potential military uses. Given the close ties between China’s economy and its government and military, that creates a serious security risk. U.S. capital, research and ingenuity should not strengthen a rival’s military capabilities.
The Trump administration’s proposed rules to restrict investments that could support China’s military-industrial base are a welcome move. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the administration deserve credit for working to keep American funds from bolstering a major foreign adversary.
The COINS Act laid important groundwork for limiting U.S. investment in sensitive technologies in countries that pose national security threats. The next step is making those safeguards effective: closing loopholes, addressing how financial and professional services can assist Chinese firms, and keeping restrictions current as technology changes.
This is about more than financial policy. It is about the safety of Americans.
I served in the Army, and I understand the responsibility that comes with wearing the uniform and defending the country. Service members rely on their military having the strength and capabilities to meet any threat. They should not have to face an opponent made more powerful by American support.
China’s technological gains could make it harder for U.S. troops to spot dangers, defend against attacks, secure communications and complete their missions safely. If the CCP builds more advanced weapons and military systems, American service members may eventually be the ones confronting them.
We should not be careless about where our money goes. The U.S. cannot warn about China’s military buildup while allowing American investment and expertise to help fund it. Protecting national security sometimes means making difficult choices and putting public safety ahead of short-term financial returns.
The competition also extends beyond any single investment or regulation. Artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors, quantum computing and other critical technologies will shape economic and military power for decades. The country that leads in these fields will have a major advantage.
America has the people, resources and creativity to remain at the forefront. But we cannot succeed if we keep transferring our advantages to the CCP. We need to protect key discoveries, reinforce the defense industrial base and ensure American innovation advances American interests.
That is why I have supported legislation to strengthen these protections. In this Congress, the House Foreign Affairs Committee has backed measures including the AI OVERWATCH Act, the MATCH Act and the Remote Access Security Act. They would improve oversight of advanced AI chip exports, address gaps in controls on semiconductor equipment and prevent China from using remote access to get around safeguards on sensitive technology.
The CCP should not be able to exploit weaknesses in U.S. law to obtain the chips, equipment and computing power it needs to build up its military. Closing one route while leaving another open would undermine those efforts and could put the United States at risk.
President Trump deserves recognition for acting to defend America’s technological lead and for understanding that the country cannot allow the CCP to turn U.S. success against it.
